Spectacular Shen Yun

This year, I was lucky enough to attend not one, but two spectacular performances by the magical Shen Yun Performing Arts & I have to say that honestly, I could have watched the show a million times more... it's an experience that I just never wanted to end! The seamless & unique blend of traditional heritage, graceful dance steps, exquisite costuming, high-tech backdrops & astonishing orchestral movements really has to be seen to be believed. In fact, I actually struggle to express exactly what it feels like to be an audience member in words... it's literally that visceral & otherwordly...

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Dress: Anthea Crawford guipure lace, satin

Heels: Wittner metallic silver leather

Bag: Nine West textured vinyl with silver hardware

Hinged Bangle: Precious Stones Jewellers silver

Cuff: Najo via Precious Stones Jewellers silver

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For the first performance, I dressed up in a stunning navy blue & silver floral guipure lace shift dress with cold shoulder detailing, delicate satin straps & a below-the-knee hemline from Anthea Crawford, metallic silver leather t-bar heels from Wittner to elongate my frame & a matching textured silver vinyl shoulder bag with chain strap from Nine West to carry all the essentials. When it came to jewellery, I stayed with the "silver" theme & wore a funky silver tribal cuff from Najo & chunky hinged bangle in the shape of a wave from Precious Stones Jewellers, adding a little bohemian touch to an otherwise classic ensemble.

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Dress: Anthea Crawford guipure lace, satin

Heels: Jo Mercer leather, laces

Bag: Yoins Collection velvet, embroidery with chrome hardware

Bangles: Autograph Fashion chrome

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For the second performance, I donned a similar, stunning floral guipure lace dress from Anthea Crawford... this time in a deep shade of burgundy with a stylised "wiggle" silhouette complete with ruffled "cha cha" hemline. Rather than a pair of dainty heels, I chose a chunky pair of black leather, lace up booties from Jo Mercer for a bit of edge & carried an emerald velvet "pouched" crossbody bag with embroidered waterbird, mosaic strap detailing & chrome hardware from Yoins Collection (discovered in a tiny, stand-alone boutique) for a true juxtaposition of texture. Jewellery was kept simple yet striking - a pair of thick, chrome bangles that I picked up years & years ago from Autograph Fashions.

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